What do espoused values represent in an organization?

Espoused values represent the values that a company believes in and publicly endorses. These are the principles and standards that the organization communicates, often found in mission statements, corporate values lists, or marketing materials. They reflect the ideal behaviors and cultural norms that the organization aims to promote among its employees and stakeholders.

While espoused values are intended to guide behavior and inform decision-making within the organization, they may not always align with the enacted or practiced values, which are the behaviors that employees actually demonstrate. Therefore, distinguishing between espoused values and what is actually practiced is crucial for understanding organizational culture.

Values that are actually practiced within the organization can differ from espoused values, as they are shaped by real-world interactions and experiences within the workplace. Unwritten rules that guide employee behavior also fall outside the scope of espoused values, as they refer more to the informal norms and expectations that can develop over time. External perceptions of the company, on the other hand, relate to how outside stakeholders, such as customers and the community, view the organization based on its actions and reputation rather than on stated beliefs.